Is the Carolina Dog Better than the Chow Chow as a Pet? Answer…

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Carolina Dog Versus Chow Chow: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Carolina Dog and for the Chow Chow. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Carolina Dog or the Chow Chow.

Carolina Dog versus Chow Chow

Carolina Dog versus Chow Chow: Overview

A very important difference between the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Carolina Dog is a medium-sized dog while the Chow Chow is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Carolina Dog belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

On the other hand, the Chow Chow belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Carolina Dog versus Chow Chow: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Carolina Dog to the Chow Chow based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow

Factor Carolina Dog Chow Chow
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Height 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 1/5
Weight 33 to 55 pounds 40 to 70 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 1/5
General Health 5/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $500 $1750
Price Range $500 – $500 $1000 – $2500
Temperament Score 66.7 percent 71.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Carolina Dog in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Chow Chow. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Carolina Dog is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Chow Chow is 69 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Carolina Dog is a better pet than the Chow Chow. So, you should get the Carolina Dog!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow

    Below is a list of where the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow are most different:

  • Carolina Dogs do not like to be left alone. However, Chow Chows can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • Carolina Dogs are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Chow Chows are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Carolina Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Chow Chows do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Carolina Dogs are very easy to groom. However, Chow Chows require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Carolina Dogs are highly intelligent. However, Chow Chows not very intelligent.
  • Carolina Dogs get along well with other dogs. However, Chow Chows do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Carolina Dogs are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds However, Chow Chows have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Carolina Dogs have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Chow Chows have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Carolina Dogs do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Chow Chows do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow

    The Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow are most similar:

  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow are not easy to train.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Carolina Dog versus Chow Chow

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow.

    Carolina Dogs weigh 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Carolina Dogs are 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Chow Chows weigh 40 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chow Chows are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Carolina Dog versus Chow Chow

    The lifespan of Carolina Dogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Carolina Dogs is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Chow Chows is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Chow Chows is 13.5 years.

    Temperament of the Carolina Dog Versus the Chow Chow

    The Chow Chow has a better temperament than the Carolina Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Chow Chow is 71.7 percent while the temperament score for the Carolina Dog is 66.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 66.7 percent, the Carolina Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 71.7 percent, the Chow Chow has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow by measuring the temperaments of 3 Carolina Dogs and 99 Chow Chows.

    Price of Carolina Dog versus Price of Chow Chow

    The average price of the Carolina Dog puppy is $500. The price of the Carolina Dog typically ranges from $500 – $500. However, the price of a Carolina Dog can be as low as $500 and as high as $500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 6 Carolina Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Chow Chow puppy is $1750. The price of the Chow Chow typically ranges from $1000 – $2500. However, the price of the Chow Chow can be as low as $400 and as high as $4125. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 156 Chow Chow puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Chow Chow is more expensive than the Carolina Dog.

    Carolina Dog Chow Chow
    Average Price $500 $1750
    Price Range $500 to $500 $1000 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Carolina Dog and Chow Chow. For different price points, the charts show how many Carolina Dog puppies or how many Chow Chow puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Carolina Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Carolina Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Chow Chows

    A breakdown of the prices of Chow Chows

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Carolina Dog puppy or the Chow Chow puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Carolina Dog versus Adopting the Chow Chow

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Carolina Dogs and many Chow Chows are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Carolina Dog named Bert that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Carolina Dogs like Bert on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Carolina Dogs, Chow Chows are also available for adoption. For example, Q is a Male Chow Chow that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Chow Chows like Q that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Ernie is the name of another Carolina Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Toby (Mack) is an adorable Male Chow Chow on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Carolina Dogs and Chow Chows are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Carolina Dogs and Chow Chows that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Carolina Dog versus Chow Chow

    Carolina Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Chow Chows can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Do Carolina Dogs shed more than Chow Chows?

    Carolina Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Chow Chows do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Carolina Dog or the Chow Chow

    Carolina Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Chow Chows drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Carolina Dog or the Chow Chow?

    Carolina Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Chow Chows require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Carolina Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Chow Chow?

    Carolina Dogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Chow Chows have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Carolina Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Chow Chows?

    Carolina Dogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Chow Chows are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Carolina Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Chow Chows can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Carolina Dog vs. Chow Chow

    Carolina Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Chow Chows do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Carolina Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Carolina Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Chow Chows cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Carolina Dog or the Chow Chow?

    Carolina Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Chow Chows do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Carolina Dogs good family dogs? What about Chow Chows?

    Carolina Dogs are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

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    Chow Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

    How Kid-friendly are Carolina Dogs and Chow Chows?

    Carolina Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Chow Chows do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Carolina Dog Easier to Train than the Chow Chow?

    Carolina Dogs are not easy to train.

    Chow Chows are not easy to train.

    Is the Carolina Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Chow Chow?

    Carolina Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Chow Chows adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Carolina Dog or the Chow Chow?

    Carolina Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Chow Chows are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Carolina Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Carolina Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Carolina Dog:

  • Treeing Tennessee Brindle (75 percent match with Carolina Dog). Here is our comparison of the Chow Chow vs Treeing Tennessee Brindle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chow Chow

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chow Chow that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Chow Chow:

  • Anatolian Shepherd Dog (61 percent match with Chow Chow). Here is our comparison of the Carolina Dog vs Anatolian Shepherd Dog.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dog (65 percent match with Chow Chow). Here is our comparison of the Carolina Dog vs Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
  • Chinese Shar-Pei (63 percent match with Chow Chow). Here is our comparison of the Carolina Dog vs Chinese Shar-Pei.
  • Akita Chow (62 percent match with Chow Chow). Here is our comparison of the Carolina Dog vs Akita Chow.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Carolina Dog and how the Chow Chow compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Carolina Dog and of the Chow Chow to other breeds:

    Carolina Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Carolina Dog versus Catahoula Bulldog     Carolina Dog versus Standard Schnauzer     Carolina Dog versus Irish Setter     Carolina Dog versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Carolina Dog versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Carolina Dog versus Akita Chow     Carolina Dog versus American Foxhound     Carolina Dog versus Brittany     Carolina Dog versus Akita Chow     Carolina Dog versus Sheepadoodle     Carolina Dog versus Belgian Tervuren     Carolina Dog versus Mastiff     Carolina Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier     Carolina Dog versus Bolognese     Carolina Dog versus Pug     Carolina Dog versus Akbash     Carolina Dog versus Bernedoodle     Carolina Dog versus Shihpoo     Carolina Dog versus Bearded Collie     Carolina Dog versus Fila Brasileiro     Carolina Dog versus Tibetan Spaniel     Carolina Dog versus Chorkie     Carolina Dog versus Barbet     Carolina Dog versus Akbash     Carolina Dog versus Silky Terrier     

    Chow Chow Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chow Chow versus Basset Hound     Chow Chow versus Cavachon     Chow Chow versus Sloughi     Chow Chow versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Chow Chow versus Alaskan Malamute     Chow Chow versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Chow Chow versus Puli     Chow Chow versus Korean Jindo Dog     Chow Chow versus Sheepadoodle     Chow Chow versus Norwegian Lundehund     Chow Chow versus Schipperke     Chow Chow versus Weimaraner     Chow Chow versus Tibetan Spaniel     Chow Chow versus Bulldog     Chow Chow versus Bracco Italiano     Chow Chow versus Pomsky     Chow Chow versus Puli     Chow Chow versus Italian Greyhound     Chow Chow versus Bedlington Terrier     Chow Chow versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Chow Chow versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Chow Chow versus Bich Poo     Chow Chow versus Pomsky     Chow Chow versus Belgian Tervuren     

    Conclusion: Carolina Dog versus Chow Chow. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Carolina Dog and the Chow Chow better suits you and your family.